“Promises of Starlight,” episode 35

Written by Thea Washington

None of the characters in “Promises of Starlight” represent any person living or dead.

The character “Rock Star”/”Angel” is based on Adam Lambert. The author does not in any way wish to disturb or predict Mr. Lambert’s life through the characters in this story.

All videos are to be enjoyed through their link to YouTube. They are not to be downloaded. No claims are made on the videos by the author.

Chapter 35 – THE POWER IN THE CHOICE

Meanwhile at the Mansion a fight had broken out. Twin and Exec were against paying the ransom, even with proof of life. Lover and the Rock Star argued that these were their kids, that the decision should be up to them. (Partner sat there and listened.)

“Look,” said Exec. “The kids will be fine. I know it’s hard to believe that right now, but think about the bigger picture. It’s basically the same dynamic as when Reporter tried to blackmail you before. You knew he’d just come back and want more money. And what if you do pay the ransom? What would that say to every parent in this business? That’s it’s open season for shit like whoever took the kids in the first place to grab some other’s kids, knowing that the money would come? And,” (and how he hated to say this), ”what if you deliver the money and that still doesn’t stop them from … .” He couldn’t say it, either. He took a deep breath and finished what he was going to say. “Is that what you really want, to be responsible for that?”

The Rock Star spoke first, his voice even deeper than his pain. “I don’t give a flying fuck about your “dynamic” or your “bigger picture” or your goddamn “industry.” I want our kids home, period. And we do whatever we have to do to make that happen.”

Lover joined in. “Yeah, it’s not your kids we’re talking about. These are our children. We can’t just leave them there.”

The arguing went on for another hour before anybody gave in. It was Twin.

“Pay the goddamn money,” she said. “This is my family, too. We’ll deal with what’s down the road when we get there.”

Lover and the Rock Star were relieved that now they could concentrate on the next step. Exec was not happy with the decision but, as everyone said, first off he didn’t have children and secondly, these weren’t his kids anyway. Partner had been on the edge of his seat as he heard the converation go back and forth, one minute yes and the next minute, no. He was relieved when the decision was made. Now he could get on with the next phase of the plan.

The note said that Twin and Lover should be the ones to deliver the money. The Rock Star wondered why he hadn’t been named since Son was his biological child. Lover didn’t care who’d been named as long as the money got to whoever wanted it and they could get the kids back. There was another argument about whether or not Lover should go; after all, he’d be worth more than $25 million. Lover didn’t care; he do anything for those kids, even if it meant leaving himself open to threats, kidnapping … or worse. Partner even volunteered to take the money to the drop-off place since this was all his fault anyway. His offer was turned down, as he knew it would be.

One thing they did agree on, though, and that was proof of life. (Pimp Dealer was prepared for this, he’d had Man and Guy bring along a laptop with a date and time stamp on it. He was ready to let the kids skype their parents and had a special room set up for it, one that had nothing in it that would give away their location.) The problem was, how to get a message to the kidnappers that the proof of life was wanted?

Partner excused himself and went to clean up in the bathroom. About a half-hour later they heard the Skype sound on Lover’s laptop. When he answered it there were the kids.

“Oh, my God, oh my God,” said Lover, the tears flowing. “It’s them,” he called to the Rock Star. “It’s the kids.”

They couldn’t get enough of them. “Are you alright?” asked Lover. “Have they hurt you? asked the Rock Star. “Are you OK?” “They’re not being mean, are they?”

“No, Papa, they’re not being mean,” said Daughter, crying. “We wanna come home, though. Can you come get us? Please?”

Now both men were in tears.

Son said, “Dad, they’re keeping us in the basement of some house. We don’t know where we are.”

Daughter couldn’t stop crying. “Papa, will you please come get us?”

“I’m coming, baby girl. I promise. And Aunt Twin is coming, too.” He wanted the kidnappers to know that they were going to stick to the plan. “You don’t worry now. We’re on our way.”

“Papa, do you know where we are?”

“No, baby, not yet. But we’re going to know soon, OK? We just have one phone call to make and then we’ll be right there.”

Son started to speak. “Dad, it looks like … “

The call went dead.

Nobody even noticed that Partner had come back into the room. There was something in the air, though, something Lover could feel.

Daughter started crying even more. “’n’ keep that little bitch sistah a’ yours quiet, too. I’m tired a hearin’ her wailin’ all de time. Maybe I oughtta do somethin’ ta shut her up.”

“You’ll do what, little boy? You ain’t got de balls ta do nothing.” Man laughed and the door shut. They could hear the locks being secured.

“Don’t worry,” sensed Son to Daughter. “They’re on their way, I can feel it.

At the Mansion Lover suddenly remembered something, something else Starlight had told him that night when she’d asked him to make his choice about Angel. She’d said there would be “generations to come.” Generations, plural. Daughter would have children.

He turned to the Rock Star, hope and certainty on his face for the first time. “She’s been here,” he said. “It’s all going to work out.”